If the disc is to be put in the films section of a video store, it is priced as a film. If a disc is to be put in the games/software section of a video store, it is priced as software.
The decision could be made by either the video store, or mandated by the manufacturer. Warner could mandate that all their discs are software, in which case they must be placed in the software section. Or a video store could purchase "film" versions, in which case they must be displayed in the film section, or "software" versions. The manufacturer could then get a fine imposed against stores that put them in the wrong section.
I don't find Quake fun. I find it cramps my hands and arms, and gives me vertigo. Same with all first-person shooters. Plus I find it boring after about 15 minutes.
A 3D world would require some way of getting past this barrier. One of the main problems with all 3D interfaces I have seen (including games) is the sheer amount of fine motor control required for very long periods of time.
Instead, new input methods will be required before 3D interfaces can become a truly integral part of the net. I don't know what these methods will be, but I bet the initial ones will be based off eye movement (there are already knowledgebase systems in use in some places based on eye movement - for example, for mechanics who have the data on a HUD and use eye movement for moving pages, leaving both hands free).
Now, Arcanum - that's fun! Over 120 hours so far, and I've just started it for a third time (I haven't even finished once yet - I keep going "Wow! I wonder what it would be like to play that part of the game as a <insert gender><insert race ><insert character stereotype>).
Python is a very interesting topic to discuss in relation to backwards compatibility.
It has three very good baseline versions - 1.5.2, 2.0(.1) and 2.1(.1) - which you can rely on. Jython/JPython has implementations of 1.5.2 and 2.0, and is well on the way to 2.1. Code written for 1.5.2 will work with 2.0 (unless it relies on an extension unavailable for the newer version). Likewise, code written for 2.0 will work with 2.1.
However, Python is currently undergoing a period of change which will mean that 3.0 will *not* be backwards compatible in some pretty major ways. Very little of this behaviour will be mandatory until 3.0 (generators and possibly nested scopes are the only two which are likely to be mandatory before 3.0). This includes a major semantic change in the use of the '/' operator. Currently,
3/2 == 1
whereas in the __future__ (;) for Pythonistas), '/' will always return a numeric result (whether that be floating point, fixed-point decimal, rational, or a transparent mapping between them is still up in the air - at this point Python only *has* integer and floating point representations) and the new '//' operator will always return an integer result rounded towards -infinity, regardless of whether the operands are integer or not.
Additional changes will include the unification of int and long, the unification of types and classes, and quite a number of other changes.
The Python community made its views very strongly that any such major changes should only be introduced with a new major version number - in particular, any semantic changes. Generators are likely to become a non-optional part of the standard release before 3.0 simply because they are introducing completely new functionality - the backwards compatibility issue is with the new 'yield' keyword, and there has been general acceptance that the new keyword will not cause large amounts of code breakage.
I had already purchased (and used) all of my office furniture before I moved to my current place.
I have two desks with built-in adjustable-height keyboard shelves. The desks are considerably wider at one end than the other, designed specifically for a fairly large monitor, and I have them in opposing orientations - so you have two positions almost back-to-back, but facing into the corners of the room. There are matching rolling filing cabinets which are able to fit under the desks (although they actually aren't under the desks) and matching bookshelves.
When we moved to the new place we happened to have an alcove off the lounge room which was a perfect fit - literally, 5cm either end of a desk. The filing cabinets are placed between the desks at the end where we sit, and have the two printers (laser and inkjet) on top of them - again, there is about 10cm total clearance from one wall to the other with this setup, and it provides plenty of space so that we don't run into each other.
The monitors sit on stands with a couple of small drawers in them (for holding things such as monitor wipes, pens, rechargable batteries, etc). There is plenty of space for the cats to sit between myself and the monitor... one of the few disadvantages;)
The 3rd and 4th computers are at the other ends of the desks - using them is slightly uncomfortable, but since they are used a lot less this is a non-issue.
The shelves form a very good separator between the lounge room and the office. I have one of my lounges backing onto the two sets of shelves, and have ended up with an almost-separate room from which you can happily watch the TV while something is going on.
Computers are placed under the desks at the ends away from where we sit - the monitor cables are just long enough for this to work perfectly. I have my scanner just off to to the side where I sit (easy to get at, doesn't interfere with anything) and my switch and hub on the other desk in the same position.
However, I would advise that if you can, use a separate room for the office (we didn't have the option, and the alcove was a perfect fit - if we hadn't used it for an office I don't know what we would have done, because the space was way too large for a lounge room).
Now I'm going back to play Arcanum - without a doubt CRPG of the year...
The Baldur's Gate series just don't cut it... I enjoyed them, but there's no way I would play through more that the twice I have on each. OTOH, I am 70 hours into my first run through Arcanum - female half-orc diplomat-tech (smith/gunsmith/firearms master). I'm probably about 75% of the way through, if I'm lucky I've received about 30% of the available side quests, and I'm already planning my next 4 characters... (think I'll go with a male elven mage - then maybe a half-ogre thief;)
Warcraft is not a CRPG. However, World of Warcraft may well be a good online CRPG. Personally, MMORPGs don't appeal to me though...
Sounds very similar to me, except I didn't know it was considered an actual condition. I find it incredibly difficult to pay any level of attention to anything else when I'm concentrating on something. I'm a notorious single-tasker. I hyper-focus on whatever I'm doing. I will be vaguely aware of things that happen around me, and will be completely unable to recall them 2 minutes later.
My brother on the other hand is very good at juggling multiple things. He can be playing a computer game, and having a conversation, and paying attention to what is on TV all at once.
I'm a programmer. He's a consultant specialising in putting together the computer systems for places such as billboard (as in road-side billboards) and magazine companies. I suspect our career choices have been guided by the above traits.
Not a lot to add to this, except that I found it pretty disturbing that Fallout (RPG of the Year) and Fallout 2 (runner-up to Baldur's Gate on most lists) were missing from the list. Although I was gratified to see that Fallout and Wasteland tied on one developer's list.
They gave the credit for the RPG revival to Baldur's Gate and Diablo! The RPG revival definitely came with Fallout. Baldur's Gate was a welcome addition in the following year (or was it the year after?) but I don't think I've played it more than twice. OTOH, I have played both Fallout and Fallout 2 well over 30 times each - and I *still* discover new things occasionally. They are the only two games I immediately install whenever I rebuild my main Windows machine (it's due for another rebuild this week...).
Diablo created a new genre - isometric action games - but IMO it is no way a contributor to the CRPG genre. I had a lot of fun with Diablo, but I never considered it to contribute anything to the CRPG genre. BTW, it took me ages to force myself through Diablo 2 on easy, and won't be playing it ever again.
In many cases, this list appeared to be based on quantity (of sales) more than quality (although I could be wrong - my opinions differ greatly to most gamers in that I only tend to play CRPG or adventure games - I *never* play first-person shooters). I agree that Doom definitely deserves to be towards the top of the list, as it popularised an entirely new genre (however, what about Wolfenstein?) but whether it should be #1 is personal opinion.
I would truly like to know what criteria were used to determine this list. Surely it should be "what games have you played the greatest number of times (including getting a long way, giving up, and starting over because you did something not quite right)?".
For me, the list goes something like:
1. Fallout 1 & 2. FO1 had the better story, but FO2 improved gameplay. I can't decide.
2. Angband.
3. Moria.
4. NetHack.
5. Elite. Where the hell was this??? Why can't any space-sim match this game??? Never got to Elite though - highest I got was Deadly.
6. Pretty much everything else. Most games get played through at most once or twice.
Banks are insured. If they are robbed, customers are not affected, except those who were personally at the scene. Banks assume that there will be problems.
OTOH, if someone gets my account details from the bank, in any manner, and then proceeds to use my account, then I expect the bank to fully protect me from any consequences of their poor security, and failure to do so would be grounds for a lawsuit.
Likewise, if someone gets my bigpond account details, they may able to use them to do damage both to me personally and by masquerading as me. It is the ISP's job to ensure that this does not happen, and I expect to be fully protected from any consequences of someone gaining my details from my ISP. Failure to do so could well be grounds for a lawsuit, even in the relatively non-ligitious Australia.
Storing username/password lists in plaintext anywhere definitely falls under insufficient security. In fact, the password should only be stored as a one-way cypher, so that I *can't* ring up, give my details and be told my password, but instead simply have it reset to a known password which I can then change immediately.
Yes an no. Whether or not his mere existence would be sufficient for cleansing sin, or whether it took 30 years for him to start cleansing sin, it still took 33 years of existence before sin was cleansed.
Personally, I feel the 59 figure is *very* conservative. After all, it has been calculated that this world was created in 4004(?) BC (October 8 around 3 in the afternoon if I remember Good Omens correctly).
Now, given that calendars have changed somewhat, losing a few years in the process, I calculate that there were approximately 121 civilisations which were cleansed of sin before Jesus got to us.
Hmm... you've obviously only watched a small selection of anime.
I would invite you to contrast the artwork and character designs of "Magic Knight Rayearth" (by CLAMP) and "Kiki's Delivery Service" (by Hayao Miyazaki). Or Harlock Saga (by Leiji Matsumoto). Shirow's hard-eyed Deunan (from Appleseed) is another character design which breaks the mould.
Indeed, the very topic involves a show (Nadia) which breaks the standard "big-eyed" character design of anime - it is based more on the character designs of Hayao Miyazaki.
As for storylines being all the same... there are as many and varied storylines as there are in US live-action movies... in fact, usually more. Yes, there are a lot of anime shows which follow a formula, but there are many which also step outside the normal bounds. Take for example the superb "Jin-Roh", a metaphorical and at times literal retelling of the classic faerie tale "Red Riding Hood". Or the incredible story of Nausicaa (in particular, the manga - the movie does not have the same depth).
Getting to the original topic, I cannot believe that the writers and artists involved with Atlantis were completely unaware of Nadia. I have no problems accepting that many of their ideas came from the works of Jules Verne and other sources. It's just that those "other sources" have to have included Nadia for there to be so many similarities. It's far beyond coincidence.
My brother knows a guy who works in one of the real heavy-duty data retrieval mobs... (friend of a friend of a...;)
Apparently, they can retrieve data which has been overwritten 17 times with random data (depends on the characteristics of the specific hard drive of course). They also managed to retrieve 90% of the data from a hard drive which had been *melted*. Don't ask me how they distinguish data which has been overwritten 16 times from data which has been overwritten 17 times... that's why *they* make the big bucks.
Apparently, the best way to prevent data being read from a hard drive is to put it in an enclosed box, set the platter spinning, then hit it with a hammer. The enclosed box is so you don't kill yourself when it shatters.
Multi-region players need new firmware which does the following.
Tray closes. A counter is set to 0.
A non-RCE disk says "can you play region 3?" The player says yes, DVD plays.
An RCE disk says "what region are you?". The player replies "0". The disk halts. The counter is incremented, and the player starts the disk again. The disk says "what region are you?" The player replies "1". The disk halts... finally, after a few goes, the player returns the correct region, and the disk plays.
If the player gets to 9, it puts up a statement on the screen that all regions have been checked, and the disc will not play, and to return it to the retailer.
For RCE encoded disks, it may take a bit longer to start the disk, but I don't see how this system + normal multi-region methods could be got around without introducing new region codes.
Slashdot Mirror
I've always followed the method of "double, then increase the units by one"
...
...
5 minutes == 10 hours
1 day == 2 weeks
2 weeks == 4 months
4 months == 8 years
Just don't ask about those 2-year projects
If the disc is to be put in the films section of a video store, it is priced as a film. If a disc is to be put in the games/software section of a video store, it is priced as software.
The decision could be made by either the video store, or mandated by the manufacturer. Warner could mandate that all their discs are software, in which case they must be placed in the software section. Or a video store could purchase "film" versions, in which case they must be displayed in the film section, or "software" versions. The manufacturer could then get a fine imposed against stores that put them in the wrong section.
I really enjoyed Pretty Sammy #2. Wonderful stuff :)
... I think she'll be ready for Totoro soon :)
Pretty Sammy is one of the shows I'm using to introduce my 4 year old niece to anime
For anyone except Microsoft, Microsoft servers *are* third-party servers ...
I don't find Quake fun. I find it cramps my hands and arms, and gives me vertigo. Same with all first-person shooters. Plus I find it boring after about 15 minutes.
A 3D world would require some way of getting past this barrier. One of the main problems with all 3D interfaces I have seen (including games) is the sheer amount of fine motor control required for very long periods of time.
Instead, new input methods will be required before 3D interfaces can become a truly integral part of the net. I don't know what these methods will be, but I bet the initial ones will be based off eye movement (there are already knowledgebase systems in use in some places based on eye movement - for example, for mechanics who have the data on a HUD and use eye movement for moving pages, leaving both hands free).
Now, Arcanum - that's fun! Over 120 hours so far, and I've just started it for a third time (I haven't even finished once yet - I keep going "Wow! I wonder what it would be like to play that part of the game as a <insert gender><insert race ><insert character stereotype>).
Python is a very interesting topic to discuss in relation to backwards compatibility.
;) for Pythonistas), '/' will always return a numeric result (whether that be floating point, fixed-point decimal, rational, or a transparent mapping between them is still up in the air - at this point Python only *has* integer and floating point representations) and the new '//' operator will always return an integer result rounded towards -infinity, regardless of whether the operands are integer or not.
It has three very good baseline versions - 1.5.2, 2.0(.1) and 2.1(.1) - which you can rely on. Jython/JPython has implementations of 1.5.2 and 2.0, and is well on the way to 2.1. Code written for 1.5.2 will work with 2.0 (unless it relies on an extension unavailable for the newer version). Likewise, code written for 2.0 will work with 2.1.
However, Python is currently undergoing a period of change which will mean that 3.0 will *not* be backwards compatible in some pretty major ways. Very little of this behaviour will be mandatory until 3.0 (generators and possibly nested scopes are the only two which are likely to be mandatory before 3.0). This includes a major semantic change in the use of the '/' operator. Currently,
3/2 == 1
whereas in the __future__ (
Additional changes will include the unification of int and long, the unification of types and classes, and quite a number of other changes.
The Python community made its views very strongly that any such major changes should only be introduced with a new major version number - in particular, any semantic changes. Generators are likely to become a non-optional part of the standard release before 3.0 simply because they are introducing completely new functionality - the backwards compatibility issue is with the new 'yield' keyword, and there has been general acceptance that the new keyword will not cause large amounts of code breakage.
I had already purchased (and used) all of my office furniture before I moved to my current place.
I have two desks with built-in adjustable-height keyboard shelves. The desks are considerably wider at one end than the other, designed specifically for a fairly large monitor, and I have them in opposing orientations - so you have two positions almost back-to-back, but facing into the corners of the room. There are matching rolling filing cabinets which are able to fit under the desks (although they actually aren't under the desks) and matching bookshelves.
When we moved to the new place we happened to have an alcove off the lounge room which was a perfect fit - literally, 5cm either end of a desk. The filing cabinets are placed between the desks at the end where we sit, and have the two printers (laser and inkjet) on top of them - again, there is about 10cm total clearance from one wall to the other with this setup, and it provides plenty of space so that we don't run into each other.
The monitors sit on stands with a couple of small drawers in them (for holding things such as monitor wipes, pens, rechargable batteries, etc). There is plenty of space for the cats to sit between myself and the monitor ... one of the few disadvantages ;)
The 3rd and 4th computers are at the other ends of the desks - using them is slightly uncomfortable, but since they are used a lot less this is a non-issue.
The shelves form a very good separator between the lounge room and the office. I have one of my lounges backing onto the two sets of shelves, and have ended up with an almost-separate room from which you can happily watch the TV while something is going on.
Computers are placed under the desks at the ends away from where we sit - the monitor cables are just long enough for this to work perfectly. I have my scanner just off to to the side where I sit (easy to get at, doesn't interfere with anything) and my switch and hub on the other desk in the same position.
However, I would advise that if you can, use a separate room for the office (we didn't have the option, and the alcove was a perfect fit - if we hadn't used it for an office I don't know what we would have done, because the space was way too large for a lounge room).
Now I'm going back to play Arcanum - without a doubt CRPG of the yearHmm - this prof obviously never considered the possibility of hiring someone from outside the US ...
Perhaps a better comparison would have been ...
If you want an in-depth CRPG, go grab a copy of Arcanum now.
http://sierrastudios.com/games/arcanum/
The Baldur's Gate series just don't cut it ... I enjoyed them, but there's no way I would play through more that the twice I have on each. OTOH, I am 70 hours into my first run through Arcanum - female half-orc diplomat-tech (smith/gunsmith/firearms master). I'm probably about 75% of the way through, if I'm lucky I've received about 30% of the available side quests, and I'm already planning my next 4 characters ... (think I'll go with a male elven mage - then maybe a half-ogre thief ;)
Warcraft is not a CRPG. However, World of Warcraft may well be a good online CRPG. Personally, MMORPGs don't appeal to me though ...
Sounds very similar to me, except I didn't know it was considered an actual condition. I find it incredibly difficult to pay any level of attention to anything else when I'm concentrating on something. I'm a notorious single-tasker. I hyper-focus on whatever I'm doing. I will be vaguely aware of things that happen around me, and will be completely unable to recall them 2 minutes later.
My brother on the other hand is very good at juggling multiple things. He can be playing a computer game, and having a conversation, and paying attention to what is on TV all at once.
I'm a programmer. He's a consultant specialising in putting together the computer systems for places such as billboard (as in road-side billboards) and magazine companies. I suspect our career choices have been guided by the above traits.
Heh. Guess I added a bit more than I was intending to ... ;)
Not a lot to add to this, except that I found it pretty disturbing that Fallout (RPG of the Year) and Fallout 2 (runner-up to Baldur's Gate on most lists) were missing from the list. Although I was gratified to see that Fallout and Wasteland tied on one developer's list.
...).
They gave the credit for the RPG revival to Baldur's Gate and Diablo! The RPG revival definitely came with Fallout. Baldur's Gate was a welcome addition in the following year (or was it the year after?) but I don't think I've played it more than twice. OTOH, I have played both Fallout and Fallout 2 well over 30 times each - and I *still* discover new things occasionally. They are the only two games I immediately install whenever I rebuild my main Windows machine (it's due for another rebuild this week
Diablo created a new genre - isometric action games - but IMO it is no way a contributor to the CRPG genre. I had a lot of fun with Diablo, but I never considered it to contribute anything to the CRPG genre. BTW, it took me ages to force myself through Diablo 2 on easy, and won't be playing it ever again.
In many cases, this list appeared to be based on quantity (of sales) more than quality (although I could be wrong - my opinions differ greatly to most gamers in that I only tend to play CRPG or adventure games - I *never* play first-person shooters). I agree that Doom definitely deserves to be towards the top of the list, as it popularised an entirely new genre (however, what about Wolfenstein?) but whether it should be #1 is personal opinion.
I would truly like to know what criteria were used to determine this list. Surely it should be "what games have you played the greatest number of times (including getting a long way, giving up, and starting over because you did something not quite right)?".
For me, the list goes something like:
1. Fallout 1 & 2. FO1 had the better story, but FO2 improved gameplay. I can't decide.
2. Angband.
3. Moria.
4. NetHack.
5. Elite. Where the hell was this??? Why can't any space-sim match this game??? Never got to Elite though - highest I got was Deadly.
6. Pretty much everything else. Most games get played through at most once or twice.
There is a difference.
Banks are insured. If they are robbed, customers are not affected, except those who were personally at the scene. Banks assume that there will be problems.
OTOH, if someone gets my account details from the bank, in any manner, and then proceeds to use my account, then I expect the bank to fully protect me from any consequences of their poor security, and failure to do so would be grounds for a lawsuit.
Likewise, if someone gets my bigpond account details, they may able to use them to do damage both to me personally and by masquerading as me. It is the ISP's job to ensure that this does not happen, and I expect to be fully protected from any consequences of someone gaining my details from my ISP. Failure to do so could well be grounds for a lawsuit, even in the relatively non-ligitious Australia.
Storing username/password lists in plaintext anywhere definitely falls under insufficient security. In fact, the password should only be stored as a one-way cypher, so that I *can't* ring up, give my details and be told my password, but instead simply have it reset to a known password which I can then change immediately.
Yes an no. Whether or not his mere existence would be sufficient for cleansing sin, or whether it took 30 years for him to start cleansing sin, it still took 33 years of existence before sin was cleansed.
So the original figures stand.
Personally, I feel the 59 figure is *very* conservative. After all, it has been calculated that this world was created in 4004(?) BC (October 8 around 3 in the afternoon if I remember Good Omens correctly).
Now, given that calendars have changed somewhat, losing a few years in the process, I calculate that there were approximately 121 civilisations which were cleansed of sin before Jesus got to us.
Hmm ... you've obviously only watched a small selection of anime.
... there are as many and varied storylines as there are in US live-action movies ... in fact, usually more. Yes, there are a lot of anime shows which follow a formula, but there are many which also step outside the normal bounds. Take for example the superb "Jin-Roh", a metaphorical and at times literal retelling of the classic faerie tale "Red Riding Hood". Or the incredible story of Nausicaa (in particular, the manga - the movie does not have the same depth).
I would invite you to contrast the artwork and character designs of "Magic Knight Rayearth" (by CLAMP) and "Kiki's Delivery Service" (by Hayao Miyazaki). Or Harlock Saga (by Leiji Matsumoto). Shirow's hard-eyed Deunan (from Appleseed) is another character design which breaks the mould.
Indeed, the very topic involves a show (Nadia) which breaks the standard "big-eyed" character design of anime - it is based more on the character designs of Hayao Miyazaki.
As for storylines being all the same
Getting to the original topic, I cannot believe that the writers and artists involved with Atlantis were completely unaware of Nadia. I have no problems accepting that many of their ideas came from the works of Jules Verne and other sources. It's just that those "other sources" have to have included Nadia for there to be so many similarities. It's far beyond coincidence.
My brother knows a guy who works in one of the real heavy-duty data retrieval mobs ... (friend of a friend of a ... ;)
... that's why *they* make the big bucks.
Apparently, they can retrieve data which has been overwritten 17 times with random data (depends on the characteristics of the specific hard drive of course). They also managed to retrieve 90% of the data from a hard drive which had been *melted*. Don't ask me how they distinguish data which has been overwritten 16 times from data which has been overwritten 17 times
Apparently, the best way to prevent data being read from a hard drive is to put it in an enclosed box, set the platter spinning, then hit it with a hammer. The enclosed box is so you don't kill yourself when it shatters.
... though could be a bit harder in practice.
... finally, after a few goes, the player returns the correct region, and the disk plays.
Multi-region players need new firmware which does the following.
Tray closes. A counter is set to 0.
A non-RCE disk says "can you play region 3?" The player says yes, DVD plays.
An RCE disk says "what region are you?". The player replies "0". The disk halts. The counter is incremented, and the player starts the disk again. The disk says "what region are you?" The player replies "1". The disk halts
If the player gets to 9, it puts up a statement on the screen that all regions have been checked, and the disc will not play, and to return it to the retailer.
For RCE encoded disks, it may take a bit longer to start the disk, but I don't see how this system + normal multi-region methods could be got around without introducing new region codes.